Combination beach device

ABSTRACT

A combination beach device has a main section formed as a panel of flexible cloth material having a vertical length longer than a horizontal width forming four corners. The main sling member can be unfurled and used as a beach towel. The main sling member has four attachment points, one near each of four corners of the main section, and each four attachment points are formed of rings. A detachable fabric strap has a pair of clips, each attachable to each attachment point. A second panel is coplanar to the main section, and forms a storage area between the second panel and main section. The storage area forms a closeable pocket on the main section. The main section can be inverted, folded and stowed within the storage area along with other articles.

This is a continuation in part, of application Ser. No. 10/246,935,filed Sep. 19, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a combination carrier device, and moreparticularly to a transporting sling and backpack combined with a bodywear which can be used around beach or water sports facilities.

B. Description of the Prior Art

Surfing in the ocean is a popular sport that requires a surfboard.Surfboards are watercrafts that are stored out of water and must beportaged to the ocean for use. In the history of surfing, somesurfboards have regularly exceeded the users' height. Carrying anelongated load such as a surfboard can be cumbersome and walking anextended distance with a board can be tiring. Often times, the bestsurfing spots in the world require an extended hike across treacherousterrain to reach the ocean. A variety of devices have been invented tocarry an elongated load such as a surfboard.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,551 by Conroy shows a lightweight carrier fortransporting a surfboard. The carrier is fastened to into one end of theload by a padded cross member, which carries the load. The surfer canthen carry the opposite end of the load. This invention helps surferscarry surfboards across long distances of road where the road is paved.Unfortunately, it requires the use of at least one hand and does not goup steps.

A board carrying apparatus was invented by Silberberg as described inU.S. Pat. No. 4,724,989 and includes a handle connected to a rigidcarrier bar. The carrier bar holds a plurality of straps that support asailboard or surfboard.

Inventor Frietze in U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,101 describes a body boardcarrying device comprising a plurality of adjustable straps fashionedinto loops to encircle various sports equipment that can hold a varietyof miscellaneous items. This configuration has the drawback of a complexsystem of straps that would be compromised by particles of silica sandfrom the beach.

Another attempt at a surfboard carrying device was invented by Savage inU.S. Pat. No. 5,094,344. A carrying case includes a flexible softportion and a rigid hard portion for transporting a surfboard so as toprevent damage to the surfboard fins. The carry case is constructed sothat at least one surf board can be carried, with a tail portion of thesurfboard, including the fans, protectively encapsulated within a thehard case portion thereby preventing damage due to impact andmishandling of the case during transport. The Savage invention is animprovement on the surfboard bag allowing transportation on airplanesand buses.

Yet another device for carrying recreational boards is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,492,254 issued to inventor Challoner. The carrier case for arecreational board contains a base and a first and second engagementpouch or compartment for securing a recreational board to the base. Thiscarrying case has the advantage of protecting the ends of a board whilein transport.

Although it is remote from being a water sports accessory, U.S. Pat. No.5,251,945 discloses a device for protecting and transporting articleswherein a main panel with fixed handles to wrap up items fortransportation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the invention to offer a sling device thatallows a surfer to carry a surfboard hands free while walking to andfrom a surfing destination over an extended distance, riding a bicycleor traversing terrain that requires use of both hands.

It is a secondary object of the invention to offer a beach sling thatcan be used as a body protection to assist in changing clothes at thedestination.

It is a third object of the invention to offer a beach sling that can beused also as a backpack that carries personal belongings such as a wetsuit or other water sports accessories.

It is a fourth object of the invention to offer a beach sling withimproved shoulder strap and the method of using the same.

It is a fifth object of the invention to offer a beach slingincorporating a beverage cooler.

It is a sixth object of the present invention to offer a beach slingthat can be used as a baby sling to carry a baby with ease around thebeach.

It is a seventh object of the invention to offer a washing machinecompatible sling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sling according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the sling of FIG. 1 unfurled into a beach towelmode.

FIG. 3 is a view of the sling of FIG. 1 converted to a beach bag modewith two straps attached.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sling according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sling wear used as a beach poncho.

FIG. 6 is a view of the third embodiment sling according to a thirdembodiment of the invention in its operation to carry a surfboard.

FIG. 7 is a view of a user operating the third embodiment sling whileriding a bicycle.

FIG. 8 is a view of the third embodiment sling of FIG. 6 when it isopened and laid flat.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examplewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The combination device is shown first in FIG. 1. The main sling member10 can be configured for a wide variety of functionality. Referring toFIG. 1, the beach sling of the present invention has a main sling member10 made of terry cloth towel material. Although the main member panel isusually rectangular, it can also be made in a non-rectangular shape.Non-rectangular shapes can be useful when conforming to surf boards orto a user wearing the panel as a backpack, poncho or skirt. However, thebest mode is to have a rectangular main panel.

In FIG. 1, the main member 10 is of rectangular shape and in essence abeach towel developed to have practical versatility. The vertical orlongitudinal dimension of the sling member 10 is preferably 48 in. longand the horizontal or latitudinal dimension is preferably 27 in. wide.Besides being a beach sling another primary use of the combinationdevice is for a beach towel, a necessity in the beach activities andother water sports. The main sling member 10 creates a cavity fold 15about its latitudinal middle line 16 to hold a surfboard. Otherrecreational boards such as boogie boards, and sailboards can also beheld and transported in the sling.

When the main sling member 10 is folded as shown in FIG. 1, it has afirst panel 20 with a first edge 21 parallel to the horizontal dimensionand a second panel 22 with a second edge 23, which is also parallel tothe horizontal dimension. Preferably, strip 24 of polypropylene fabricreinforces the edge 21 and strip 25 of the same material reinforces theedge 23. The strips of polypropylene fabric 24 and 25 being linearlyshaped are preferably rectangular.

Also preferably, the strips 24 and 25 are sewn over the edges 21 and 23respectively, when two loops 30 a and 30 b are sewn together on the edge21 to provide a fastening means. The loops 30 a and 30 b extend upwardfrom the longitudinal edge of the strip 24 near its lateral ends. Theloops 30 a and 30 b may be of the same material as the strip 24. Thefastening means also comprises the corresponding number of rings such asD-rings 31 a and 31 b fixed along the longitudinal edge of the strip 25in opposing locations from the loops 30 a and 30 b. Each of the D-rings31 a and 31 b is attached via a loop stitched to the strip 25. The ringsshown such as the D-ring is preferably made of plastic for durabilityand corrosion-resistance.

A detachable strap 32 provides a convenient handle means with its lengthadjustable at an adjusting member 33. The strap 32 may be made of astrip 34 of polypropylene fabric, which is used for the strips 24 and25. The strap 32 has two identical locking hooks 35 a and 35 b to beengaged releasable with the D-rings 31 a and 31 b of the main slingmember 10. The hook 35 a is threaded to the strap loop formed by theadjusting member 33 while the hook 35 b is attached to the strap 32 atthe end loop closed by stitching.

Therefore, in one mode of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the endhook 35 b may engage the D-ring 31 b with the mating loop 30 b wrappingover the D-ring 31 b. Likewise, another end hook 35 a may join the othercouple of the loop 30 a and the D-ring 31 a. The fabric loop wrappingover the D-ring provides a single attachment of the end hook 35 a to theD-ring 31 a and supports both the fabric loop side and the hook side.The D-ring provides a durable connection, but can be replaced by anequivalent sized fabric loop.

In addition, an optional support pad 37 of soft cloth, foam or gelpadding alleviate stress concentration around the user's shoulders andslide freely along the strap 32 at a convenient location for the user.The supporting pad 37 is of planar shape and has a padding portion and aflexible portion although a variety of pads currently in widespread useand known in the industry can be employed for the present beach sling.

A substantial area of the second panel 22 is in two-ply formed either byfolding an extra longitudinal length of the main sling member 10 or byadding a third panel 38 of the same terry cloth towel material to stitchtheir edges together except the lower edge of the panel 38, which isclose to the middle line 16. The line at 38 also means to show thestitch line of the lower edge of the panel 38. Longitudinal stitch lines39 are made from the lower edge of the panel 38 up to the strip 23 toform a pocket storage area 40 between the second and third panels 23 and38.

A slide fastener 41 such as a zipper formed in the third panel 38extending parallel to the strip 23 defines a top opening of the storagearea 40. The fastener 41 is made of plastic material and has adouble-headed slider also made of a plastic. A smaller pocket 42 is madeseparately out of a waterproof nylon material and then stitched to theinside of the second panel 22. The pocket 42 has the common location ofits top opening with the fastener 41 and it may have the fastening meansof hook and loops, which will resist water damage on the items in thepocket with the assistance of the closed fastener 41.

At the interior corners of the storage area 40 there are D-rings 43attached, of which only the left one 43 is shown in FIG. 1 at a location43 inside of the storage area 40 while FIG. 3 clearly shows all fourD-rings 43 having two straps 32 attached thereto. Preferably, the upperinside corners have rings such as D-rings 43 attached allowing the pairof clips on the strap to be clipped to the rings when the combinationbeach device is being used as a carry pouch.

The purpose the storage area 40 is to store personal belongingsincluding the sling itself. First, the strap 32 is detached. Then, thefirst panel 20 is folded or rolled into a smaller size. Next, the slidefastener 41 is opened to turn the storage area 40 inside out swallowingthe first panel 20 and the rest exposing the internal D-rings 43 to makehooking engagements with two or more of the hooks 35 a-35 c. Because ofthe large capacity of the storage area 40, the sling now becomes a bagto carry small articles for beach life including surfing accessorieslike surf wax.

FIG. 2 shows a beach towel mode of the device. As a top view, thecentral opening 44 is closed and loops 30 a, 30 b oppose D rings 31 a,31 b. The compartment 40 is closed along the closing edge 41.

FIG. 3 shows a backpack configuration when the pouch 40 is inverted sothat the previously inner surface of the pouch 40 in the towelconfiguration becomes the outside surface having the waterproof pocket42 on the outside of the backpack. A pair of straps 32 connectattachment points 43 allowing a backpack configuration whereby shouldersfit under straps 32. The previous opening 41 allows a user to open thepouch hollow portion of the backpack for storage of articles. Removal ofone of the straps 32 allows a user to convert the backpack into a pursepouch. As seen in FIG. 3 the right strap can be removed so that theopening is upward.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention wherein themain sling member 10 has a first panel 20 with a first edge 21 parallelto the horizontal dimension and a second panel 22 with a second edge 23,which is also parallel to the horizontal dimension. Preferably, strip 24of polypropylene fabric reinforces the edge 21 and strip 25 of the samematerial reinforces the edge 23. The strips of polypropylene fabric 24and 25 being linearly shaped are preferably rectangular.

Also preferably, the strips 24 and 25 are sewn over the edges 21 and 23respectively, when three loops 30 a-30 c are sewn together on the edge21 to provide a fastening means. One of the loops is loop 30 c in thecenter of the edge strip 24 extending upward from the longitudinal edgeof the strip 24 and the loops 30 a and 30 b are similarly fixed atlocations distanced equally from the center to near the lateral ends ofthe strip 24. The loops 30 a-30 c may be of the same material as thestrip 24. The fastening means also comprises the corresponding number ofD-rings 31 a-31 c fixed along the longitudinal edge of the strip 25 inopposing locations from the loops 30 a-30 c. Each of the D-rings 31 a-31c is attached via a loop stitched to the strip 25. The D-ring ispreferably made of plastic for durability and corrosion-resistance.

A detachable strap 50 provides a convenient handle means with its lengthadjustable at an adjusting member 33. The strap 32 may be made of astrip 34 of polypropylene fabric, which is used for the strips 24 and25. The strap 32 has three identical locking hooks 35 a-35 c to beengaged releasable with the selected D-rings of the main sling member 10depending on the mode of actual use of the beach sling. The hook 35 a isthreaded to the strap loop formed by the adjusting member 33 while thehooks 35 b and 35 c are attached to the strap 32 at the local loopsclosed by stitching the strap folds.

Therefore, in one mode of this embodiment of the invention, as shown inFIG. 4, the end hook 35 b may engage the D-ring 31 b with the matingloop 30 b wrapping over the D-ring 31 b. Likewise, another end hook 35 amay join the other couple of the loop 30 a and the D-ring 31 a. The useof more than a pair of engagement hooks allows connection in a thirdlocation such as shown in FIG. 4 being the middle hook 35 c attached tothe middle connection area formed by 31 c and 30 c allowing the deviceto be worn over the shoulders as a backpack while carrying a surf boardformed in the space 15.

In addition, two optional support pads 37 made of soft cloth, foam orgel padding alleviate stress concentration around the user's shouldersand slide freely along the strap 32 at convenient locations for theuser. The supporting pad 37 is of planar shape and has a padding portionand a flexible portion although a variety of pads currently inwidespread use and known in the industry can be employed for the presentbeach sling.

The invention also contemplates to incorporate an insulation padding inthe storage area 40 in order to carry cold beverages and the like incool temperature for an extended period of time. The optionallyinsulated pouch area allows carrying of insulated articles.

Also, it is possible to modify the shape and volume of the storage area40 and use breathable light cotton for the third panel 38 to extend thefunctional application of the beach sling into a baby sling to transporta baby with ease and security.

Further, in a backpack mode of the sling of the present invention tocarry a heavier items, the strap 32 can join the main member 10 with allthe three hooks 35 a-35 c to make two strap sections centered about theD-ring 31 c. Each shoulder can pass each strap section for a balancedsupport of the load in the sling.

The device is also wearable when the zipper 44 is opened forming anopening for a user's head. Longitudinally sliding fastener 44 is to openthe center of the beach sling for the user's head in its poncho mode ofuse. In case of raining or when warming is desired, this beach sling maybe worn as a poncho through the fastener 44 slid open with an adjustedextent using the attached slider as shown in FIG. 5.

To facilitate the use of this sling as a skirt body wear or for achanging veil to be belt secured around a human waist, the main member10 also has an auxiliary fastening means, here shown by hook and looptape. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show at one lateral edge of the first panel 20an elongated loop strip 45 is attached extending longitudinally from theedge 21 to near the middle line 16 while a mating hook strip 46 isattached to the same lateral side of the second strip 25 but facing awayfrom the first panel 20. Therefore, when the sling member 10 is wrappedaround the body of the wearer with the loop strip 45 oriented to the topfacing forward, the mating hook strip 46 will be brought into contactwith the loop strip 45 to close the wear. By adjusting the tightness ofthe sling wear through the position of contact of the hook strip 46along the loop strip 45 it can be a secure covering for the wearer or aloose protection with enough room to change clothes without needing togo back to the changing facilities. Optionally, the storage area 40 canbe closed by hook and loop tape sewn into opposite sides of the openingof third panel 38.

The third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6,wherein the beach sling has a main sling member 101 made of terry clothtowel material. The main member is of rectangular shape having avertical dimension greater than a horizontal dimension. The verticaldimension is preferably 48 in. long and the horizontal dimension ispreferably 27 in. wide. The best mode consists of using the main slingmember 101 as a beach towel, as they are widely available. The mainsling member creates a cavity fold 150 between an upper and lower edgeto hold a surfboard. Other recreational boards such as boogie boards,and sailboards can also be held and transported in the sling.

A top edge 310 of FIG. 6 main sling member 101 parallel to thehorizontal dimension opposes a bottom edge 320 of the main sling member,also parallel to the horizontal dimension. Preferably, respective strips311 of polypropylene fabric reinforce the top 310 and bottom edge 320. Astrip of polypropylene fabric 311 being linearly shaped is preferablyrectangular and has two ends.

A pair of straps 120 is sewn on opposite ends of the main sling member101 parallel to the horizontal width. Preferably, the straps 120 eachhas two connection points 325 at the two ends of the reinforcingpolypropylene fabric 311. The straps 120 should be made of polypropylenefabric.

Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, pocket 210 made of the samematerial as the main sling member 101 can be sewn and attached to themain sling member. The pocket is preferably rectangular having avertical dimension of 8 in and a horizontal dimension of 10 in.Preferably, the opening edge 212 of the pocket is 6 in. from the topedge of the main member 101.

The pocket 210 can be closed by hook and loop tape sewn into oppositesides of the opening of the pocket. The sling device can be unfurled andused as a beach towel. The pocket 210 allows the device to be foldedupon itself and stowed into the 210 pocket for storage. The pocket 210additionally allows a user to store accessory items such as surfboardwax. A surfboard fits into the folded cavity 150 formed by opposite endsof the vertical lengths of the substantially rectangular main section.

A user puts one strap over the shoulder while holding the opposite strap120. This creates a cavity formed by the main sling member 101. The userthen places one or two surfboards and optionally other equipment insidethe cavity. A user places the middle portion of a surfboard inside thecavity 150 and balances the surfboard according to the user's naturalcenter of gravity. The user then puts the other strap over the shoulder,which wraps the top and bottom ends of the 101 main sling member aroundthe surfboard. The terry cloth material of the main sling member 101conforms to the waxed and curved shape of the surfboard to maintainseparation between ends of the straps and ends of reinforcing stripsalong the horizontal direction. With both straps 120 over the shoulder auser can carry a surfboard without using hands, which allows a user toride a bicycle or carry other equipment while walking over sand. Theopposing straps 120 connected to the top and bottom ends of the mainmember 101 can be connected to each other. Connecting the straps improveease of use.

While the user carries the device hands free, the user can access theoptional pocket 210. An optional support pad 250 made of soft cloth,foam or gel padding alleviates stress concentration around a usershoulder and slides along and relative to a strap for ease ofadjustment. The supporting pad 250 is of planar shape when opened. Thesupport pad 250 has a padding portion and a flexible portion. Theflexible portion can open and close. The flexible portion can wraparound a strap and close by hook and loop tape at a pad connection pointbetween the flexible portion and the support pad. Alternatively, hookand loop tape can be attached to the flexible portion alone according toconfigurations commonly known in the industry. The support pad 250 thusfolds open to accommodate and attach to a strap 120 and can accommodateboth straps 120. A variety of support pads 250 currently in widespreaduse and known in the industry can be used with the board sling.

After the user arrives at the surfing spot the user unfurls the devicethat is then used as a beach towel. After a day at the beach, the devicemay be covered with sand. A user can shake the sand loose from thedevice before going home.

The beach sling can be created by modifying an existing beach towel thatis commonly and commercially available in a wide variety of styles anddesigns. The process of modification comprises several steps. The firststep consists of selecting a desirable beach towel. The towel is used asthe sling main section 101. A strap 120 is connected to the ends of thetop edge of the beach towel board sling main section 101. The strap 120is connected to the ends of the bottom edge of the beach towel boardsling main section 101. Optionally, the top and bottom edges of thebeach towel can be reinforced with reinforcing fabric strips 311. Theleft and right sides of the beach towel can be reinforced with fabricstrips as well. The reinforcing fabric strips 311 have opposite ends 325where fabric straps 120 can be connected.

Optionally, a pocket can be sewn in the main section of the beach towel.The pocket can be biased closed by affixing opposite strips of hook andloop tape across the opening of the pocket 212.

The present invention contemplates that many changes and modificationsmay be made. For example, the same skill described above for thesurfboard sling can readily be applied to carry a snowboard with the useof a heavy-duty material. Therefore, while the presently preferred formof the beach sling has been shown and described, and severalmodifications thereof discussed, persons skilled in this art willreadily appreciate that various additional changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as definedand differentiated by the following claims.

1. A combination beach device comprising: a main section formed as asubstantially rectangular panel of flexible cloth material having avertical length longer than a horizontal width forming four corners,whereby the main sling member can be unfurled and used as a beach towel;four attachment points, one near each of four corners of the mainsection, each four attachment points formed of rings; a detachablefabric strap having a pair of clips, each attachable to each attachmentpoint; a second panel coplanar to the main section, forming a storagearea between the second panel and main section, wherein the storage areaforms a closeable pocket on the main section; wherein the main sectioncan be inverted, folded and stowed within the storage area along withother articles.
 2. The combination beach device of claim 1, wherein tworings are D rings and two rings are fabric loops, wherein the fabricloops fit over the D rings that connect to the clips on the strap. 3.The combination beach device of claim 1, wherein a central opening isopenable by a zipper to convert the combination beach device into awearable poncho.
 4. The combination beach device of claim 1, furthercomprising a belt hook and loop tape fastener comprising: an elongatedloop strip at one lateral edge of the main section and a hook striporiented to mate with the loop strip to make a secure belt fastener. 5.The combination beach device of claim 1, further comprising a thirdpanel coplanar to the second panel and coplanar to the main section,forming a second storage area between the second panel and third panel,wherein the second storage area forms a closeable pocket on the secondpanel; wherein the second panel receive small articles.
 6. Thecombination beach device of claim 1, further comprising a fifthattachment point mounted on the main section cooperating with a sixthattachment point mounted on the main section; and further comprising athird clip on the strap engagable to the fifth attachment point andsixth attachment point, allowing a user to wear the strap over bothshoulders as a backpack for surfboard.
 7. The combination beach deviceof claim 1, wherein the storage area is rectangular; and furthercomprising two rings on the upper inside corners of the closeablepocket, allowing the pair of clips on the strap to be clipped to therings when the combination beach device is being used as a carry pouch.8. The combination beach device of claim 1, wherein the storage area isrectangular; and further comprising four rings on the inside corners ofthe closeable pocket; and further comprising a second strap allowing thetwo pair of clips on the two straps to be clipped to the rings when thecombination beach device is used as a backpack.
 9. A combination beachdevice comprising: a main section formed as a non-rectangular panel offlexible cloth material having a vertical length longer than ahorizontal width forming four corners, whereby the main sling member canbe unfurled and used as a beach towel; four attachment points, one neareach of four corners of the main section, each four attachment pointsformed of rings; a detachable fabric strap having a pair of clips, eachattachable to each attachment point; a second panel coplanar to the mainsection, forming a storage area between the second panel and mainsection, wherein the storage area forms a closeable pocket on the mainsection; wherein the main section can be inverted, folded and stowedwithin the storage area along with other articles.
 10. The combinationbeach device of claim 9, wherein two rings are D rings and two rings arefabric loops, wherein the fabric loops fit over the D rings that connectto the clips on the strap.
 11. The combination beach device of claim 9,wherein a central opening is openable by a zipper to convert thecombination beach device into a wearable poncho.
 12. The combinationbeach device of claim 9, further comprising a belt hook and loop tapefastener comprising: an elongated loop strip at one lateral edge of themain section and a hook strip oriented to mate with the loop strip tomake a secure belt fastener, whereby a user may wear the device as askirt.
 13. The combination beach device of claim 9, further comprising athird panel coplanar to the second panel and coplanar to the mainsection, forming a second storage area between the second panel andthird panel, wherein the second storage area forms a closeable pocket onthe second panel; wherein the second panel receive small articles. 14.The combination beach device of claim 9, further comprising a fifthattachment point mounted on the main section cooperating with a sixthattachment point mounted on the main section; and further comprising athird clip on the strap engagable to the fifth attachment point andsixth attachment point, allowing a user to wear the strap over bothshoulders as a backpack for surfboard.
 15. The combination beach deviceof claim 9, wherein the storage area is rectangular; and furthercomprising two rings on the upper inside corners of the closeablepocket, allowing the pair of clips on the strap to be clipped to therings when the combination beach device is being used as a carry pouch.16. The combination beach device of claim 9, wherein the storage area isrectangular; and further comprising four rings on the inside corners ofthe closeable pocket; and further comprising a second strap allowing thetwo pair of clips on the two straps to be clipped to the rings when thecombination beach device is used as a backpack.